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Frankfort Independent previews $15.5M tentative budget, shifts staff roles as enrollment dips
Summary
The Frankfort Independent presented a tentative 2026–27 budget that keeps a sizable contingency amid projected enrollment declines and proposes staffing reallocations—including moving some certified positions to classified roles and creating a .5 teaching position—to preserve class sizes. The board asked for further fiscal analysis and will revisit the budget at final adoption.
The Frankfort Independent school board reviewed a tentative 2026–27 budget on May 11 that totals just over $15.5 million for the general fund and includes a contingency of about $2,347,000, roughly 15% of the district’s budget, as staff urged a conservative approach amid declining enrollment and uncertain property tax outcomes.
Superintendent and finance staff said the district’s capital outlay is projected near $81,000, the building fund about $1.9 million with debt-service obligations of roughly $1.11 million, the food-service fund at about $1.578 million and a daycare-related fund near $237,000. Staff noted those figures are estimates included in the tentative budget; the final budget will be adopted in September after additional review.
Administrators told the board they reduced some positions and reallocated others in response to lower enrollment and shifting program needs. Examples discussed included converting one certified behavior position to a classified role (preserving a reset-room model), adjusting instructional-coach days to support new teachers and MTSS (multi-tiered system of supports), and adding a .5 certified teacher position to avoid cutting another grade to two teachers if enrollment does not rebound. Presenters said the reassignments aim to maintain supports for students while aligning payroll with projected revenues.
Board members pressed for clearer fiscal analyses and trend data before approving staffing changes. A board member requested a fiscal impact statement on section 7 staffing requests; administrators said delaying approval until the next meeting (when those analyses will be provided) would not immediately disrupt hiring but could require adjustments if a request were denied.
Officials emphasized conservative revenue projections because the district’s estimated property valuations are in flux and state forecasts vary. Staff cited recent state and local property assessment increases but said the district intentionally under-forecasted property tax revenue to avoid overestimating revenue should exemptions or protests occur.
The board did not adopt the final budget on May 11; staff presented the tentative budget for review and indicated the board will consider it again prior to the September final adoption. The superintendent said the district will provide requested fiscal analyses and enrollment breakouts for follow-up discussion.
